Arizona’s construction industry depends on predictable, forward-looking utility infrastructure planning. With Arizona Public Service (APS) undertaking major long-term investments in generation, transmission, and system reliability, the stakes have never been higher for contractors who build and maintain the state’s critical energy backbone. That’s why the Arizona Chapter Associated General Contractors’ (AZAGC) Director of Governmental Affairs, Todd Wynn, being appointed to the APS Resource Planning Advisory Council (RPAC) is important for our contractor members, suppliers, service providers, and utility partners.
What RPAC Is And Why It Matters to Contractors
The APS RPAC is a diverse stakeholder council that provides guidance and feedback on the utility’s long-term Integrated Resource Plan. This includes forecasting energy demand, evaluating future generation resources, planning transmission upgrades, and identifying infrastructure needs emerging from Arizona’s rapid growth.
For contractors, this is not abstract policy — this is the roadmap for future work opportunities:
- New substations
- Transmission line and gas pipeline expansions
- System hardening and modernization
- Renewable and battery storage projects
- Natural gas and load-growth infrastructure
RPAC is where long-term system needs are discussed before they become capital projects. Having AZAGC represented ensures the construction industry’s perspective is included at the very beginning of the planning process.
Connecting the Dots: Why AZAGC’s Voice at the Table Is Critical
Utility owners like APS are AZAGC members, but so are the contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, and service providers who build their systems. AZAGC is uniquely positioned to bridge this ecosystem.
Our involvement on RPAC strengthens the work already happening within AZAGC’s Utility Infrastructure Committee, which has been focused on improving communication and collaboration between contractors and utility owners. This appointment reinforces that mission by:
- Ensuring construction capacity and workforce realities are considered in long-term planning
- Highlighting the cost, scheduling, and procurement impacts of large-scale utility projects
- Bringing contractor expertise into discussions about project feasibility, safety, and delivery methods
- Helping utilities better understand supply-chain pressures and market conditions
- Advocating for clear, consistent construction standards that support reliability and efficiency
In other words, AZAGC is making sure the people who build the system are part of the conversation about planning the system.
Why This Matters for AGC Members Right Now
Arizona’s growth is historic. Utility infrastructure must expand just as quickly and that means more work ahead for:
- Heavy civil contractors
- Electrical contractors
- Transmission and distribution specialists
- Underground and excavation crews
- Concrete, steel, and material suppliers
- Environmental, geotechnical, and engineering service providers
RPAC’s feedback will shape billions of dollars in future capital projects. AZAGC members now have a direct voice in how that future takes shape.
A Win for Infrastructure and for All Arizonans
At its core, AZAGC’s involvement in the RPAC elevates the construction industry’s role in supporting Arizona’s economic development, reliability, and quality of life. By integrating contractor insight into statewide resource planning, AZAGC is helping ensure that Arizona’s utility infrastructure is safe, resilient, and built to meet the needs of a rapidly growing state.
And because these investments ultimately support homes, businesses, schools, industry, and public safety across Arizona, this work benefits every Arizonan — not just the construction sector.
Learn about our Utility & Infrastructure Committee visit Utility & Infrastructure | AZAGC
